What to wear for the West End London at 3pm - dinner afterwards

[CoconutNoodles]

Please send help.

Next Sunday, I'm going to see a musical at the West End and dinner afterwards. It is for a 2nd date so a little more thought on my outfit wouldn't go amiss.

I'm stuck with a very boring and casual wardrobe and this needs to change.

I usually wear modest clothing as in not showing / revealing too much. I want to create a classic / chic / feminine style, somewhat "French". Traditional but not boring. Versatile. Comfort is important to me.

I'm young looking 46 transitioning to silver hair so I want to create contrast with my outfits and not look like someone's grandma. Looking to create a grown up but fun and somehow low key sexy style. I'm very careful with prints and prefer them in dresses rather than just the top or just the bottom. I'm about 5'5, between 50-55 kg.

Please help me with photos and links. My budget is not massive but I'm willing to use my credit card and take the plunge. I need help with the whole shebang: outfit / shoes / jacket... I have only a few days to get this sorted!

I need to learn how to wear shirts, I don't know how to tuck them in the trousers, so I will pass for now but keep in mind for there future

Yea they're beautiful, such gorgeous cuts and detail.

London isn't dressy, but the nice thing about London is that it's so diverse, you can wear what you like. I went to a show and dinner a couple of weeks ago and wore leather look leggings, a stone coloured jumper, chocolate brown trench coat and black biker boots (it was freezing cold on the day we went!)

I tend to dress quite low key and for comfort and weather, but pay more attention to hair and make up.

If you want a more budget friendly silk shirt check out Jigaaw or Massimo Dutti, they usually have a few every season

x post with your comment on shirts Coconut

Thanks HighDays 🙂

I agree with the plain silk (or satin) shirt suggestion but with jeans or ankle length trousers and smart trainers. You would tuck the blouse in, nonchalantly. You would wear delicate jewels that look (or are) expensive. It would go well with your hair and give you the sleek Parisian kind of look.

One question on the jumpsuit Coconut - how similar is it to the one you mentioned you already have? If quite similar then is there a bit of ‘safe’ choosing going on? Totally fine but you won’t be expanding your wardrobe as you said you wanted to 🙂

i know those boots a fashionable atm, but they look like the type that very short men wear when they do Irish dancing 😂😂

How comfortable would you be with your nipples on show all evening? This is said with no judgement at all (in fact I admire women who are indeed comfortable with it). If you can own it, then great. But you don't want to be thinking about it / worrying about it.

it is kind of similar, but the one I have is plain black, the bust is square, no cleavage and the back is not open - it id from uniqlo and much more casual looking - yes it is a safe choice but I'm dipping my toes in fashion so baby steps - I think this one can be dressed up or down easily it is a lot more sexier than the one I have and price reduction is amazing

My shop bag on Reiss outlet. I feel i have options.
I have some shoes that might work, everything I like is sold out in my size everywhere and no time for in person shoe shopping unfortunately.

I will be travelling by Uber only so no public transport and all the time with my date. If I was on my own, I would struggle. I might stick some plaster on my nipples lol

Bit of a cop-out Zarula, pass judgement on everyone else’s suggestions and refuse to provide your own? You are right about fashion being very personal though.

This is a very very odd thread (not op).

I dress like a dirty rocker so definitely won't be contributing but I wanted to wish you well for your date. You will rock it

What a peculiar post, when, with the exception of one or two posters, that is not at all the advice being given. Misdirected snideness is embarrassing.

OP obviously wants to look and feel quietly fabulous for this exciting date, wtf does 'nobody dresses up in the West End' have to do with anything? I'm no fashionista but the West End is always full of all kinds of stylish people whenever I'm breezing through it.

If it was me I'd be letting the side down in a biker jacket, flattering jeans (not floor length wide legs) and in warmer months a maxi with wedges and a denim or biker jacket. I know what I look good in and it isn't swathes of insta oversize cream.

The last few times I've been to the theatre and dinner in London I've worn black leather jeans, black crepe v neck top, black stretch suede ankle boots and various coats over the top... nice jewellery and small bag

Or black wide leg trousers, black silky shirt and stone suede trench from Zara, with stone suede trainers....

Wide leg trouser outfit..this Zara faux suede trench also comes in black

Because it's a second date and she wants to look slightly sexy. Midi dresses and trainers are a popular look for many reasons, but they are rarely sexy.

I also like the idea of a bias cut satin skirt, with a cami, sock boots and longline blazer or a floaty sheer shirt and wind leg trousers - I've seen all three of these in real life, none are expensive and I think they'd be good versatile choices for your wardrobe.

I love love the black tie jumpsuit and think it’s like what you have already so you will get lots of use and feel good in it!

I've been reading the thread. I don't feel capable of making suggestions. Almost everything listed are things I never wear (shirts, jeans, jumpsuits, trouser suits, blazers) I don't think any of the suggestions are matronly or ageing but if that's the OP's vibe they are so far from what I wear I have no confidence what to suggest. The Max Mara blue dress you posted is the exception. It's beautiful. It looks "swishy"- swishy is good and great for confidence building.

The OP's recent choices seem a bit OTT for a matinee (or tbh, any London theatre)

I really don't like the boots - the "Stead and Simpson" comment was spot on.

I'm with @NatashaDancing and @zurala ; when silk shirts, blazers and jumpsuits make an appearance you'll have to go on without me (although my Chloe Susannah boots are similar only with more bling ). I'm sure you'll you'll have an amazing time OP and don't forget decent underwear 😀

I'm also wondering whether @ProstituteHair has been at the gak 😂

Thanks, although I'll be coming home after dinner, believe it or not, but sexy underwear will create a flirty mindset.

What is wrong with jumpsuits? Or rather, why some women don't like them?